Home Health in Indianapolis, IN

Home Health in Indianapolis, IN: Search Near You, How to Pay, Licensing, Local Resources, and Questions to Ask

Indianapolis, Indiana, offers a variety of home health services tailored to meet the needs of its aging population. With a cost of living nearly 20% lower than the national average, Indiana is an attractive option for retirees seeking affordable healthcare solutions. The state ranks favorably in terms of assisted living affordability, making it a viable choice for seniors. Indianapolis boasts a rich cultural scene, numerous parks, and a strong sense of community, all contributing to a high quality of life for its residents. Home health services in the area provide essential medical and non-medical care, allowing seniors to maintain independence while receiving the support they need. These services are designed to cater to various health conditions, ensuring personalized care plans for each individual. Whether you’re considering home health care for yourself or a loved one, Indianapolis presents a supportive environment with ample resources to assist in the decision-making process.

About Home Health in Indianapolis, IN

Home health care in Indianapolis encompasses a range of medical and therapeutic services delivered in the comfort of one’s home. These services include skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, and medical social services. The goal is to manage chronic conditions, aid in recovery from illness or surgery, and promote overall health and independence. With a focus on personalized care, home health providers in Indianapolis work closely with patients and their families to develop tailored care plans that meet individual needs.

Considerations when looking for Home Health Care Agencies in Indianapolis, IN

There are 43 Home Health providers in Indianapolis, IN. The city has a population of approximately 887,000, with 13.4% of residents aged 65 and older. In Indianapolis, the summers are warm and humid, the winters are cold and snowy, and it is partly cloudy year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 22°F to 85°F and is rarely below 5°F or above 92°F.

Cities near Indianapolis, IN

• Beech Grove – 6 miles southeast
• Speedway – 7 miles west
• Lawrence – 10 miles northeast
• Greenwood – 15 miles south
• Carmel – 16 miles north

Pricing and How to Pay for Home Health Services

Paying for senior care involves several factors, including the type of services needed and coverage options available. On average, seniors can expect to pay $6,483 per month for home health services, which typically include skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, and medical social services. These essential services help ensure a comfortable and well-supported aging experience. Costs may vary based on location, level of care required, and agency offerings.

Many home health care agencies choose to become Medicare-certified, allowing them to receive reimbursement for eligible services. Additionally, home health providers may educate individuals and their families on self-care techniques to promote independence. When prescribed by a physician, home health services are often covered by medical insurance and are commonly provided after a hospital stay or skilled rehabilitation.

How to pay for Home Health and available coverage

Medicare:

Generally Medicare reimburses the cost of Home health services. Medicare typically covers your loved one when recovering from an illness or an accident or a surgery.

*Medicare covers the specific ailment. When treatment is completed Medicare coverage stops. 

Medicare is not a long-term care solution. 

Medicaid:

Medicaid programs are put in place on a state-by-state basis. Each state will have their own regulations regarding the coverage of care. Some individuals at a certain low-income level may qualify for Medicaid Home and Community Based Service Waivers.

Veteran Aid and Attendance:

This benefit is available to some military veterans or surviving spouses. 

• A veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month. 
• A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month. 
• If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.

Private Insurance:

• Most health insurance companies typically cover some services for acute medical needs. 
• Do be aware, long-term coverage vary by plan. Not all long-term insurance will assist with home health services as the needs of the person tend to be temporary. 

Private pay:

Families which can afford to do so may pay for care with private funds. Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, pension payments and family members may contribute funds toward a loved one’s care as well.

Definitions of types of care

Home Care: Caregiver assistance related to activities of daily living, including: mobility, eating, toileting, bathing and personal hygiene, dressing and grooming or cognition support. These services are typically not covered by medical insurance and do not require a physician’s order.

Home Health: includes skilled nursing services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language therapy and medical social services. A home health care agency may choose to be Medicare certified to be reimbursed for their services. Home health agencies may also teach you how to care for yourself. Services ordered by a physician, covered by Medical Insurance and typically provided following a hospital or skilled rehab stay.

Rehabilitation & Therapy: treatment for an injury, illness, or pain with the goal of restoring function, including nursing and therapy services. Rehab is ordered by
a physician and services are provided by nurses and physical, occupational, and speech therapists. Examples include working with a physical therapist to help you walk and with an occupational therapist to help you get dressed.

Respite Care: short term relief for family caregivers to take a break from the caregiving responsibilities and allows for a healthier and better quality of life for both the caregiver and care receiver. Respite services include: companionship, personal care, recreational activities and security. Respite care can be provided as short stay or for a longer period that allows the family caregiver to go on vacation or a business trip. Longer duration respite care is generally found at select senior housing communities although some Companion services may provide this service in the home.

Hospice Care (Palliative Care): emphasizes comfort measures and counseling to provide social, spiritual and physical support to the dying patient and his or her family. The goals of hospice are to keep the patient as comfortable as possible by relieving pain and other symptoms. Hospice care, is typically offered in the last six months of life and covered under Medicare Part A .

Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in Indianapolis, IN

• IU Health Methodist Hospital
  1701 N Senate Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46202
  (317) 962-2000
• Eskenazi Health
  720 Eskenazi Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46202
  (317) 880-0000
• Community Hospital East
  1500 N Ritter Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46219
  (317) 355-1411
• Franciscan Health Indianapolis
  8111 S Emerson Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46237
  (317) 528-5000
• Ascension St. Vincent Indianapolis
  2001 W 86th St, Indianapolis, IN 46260
  (317) 338-2345

Questions to ask when looking for Home Health

• How long has the agency been serving this community? 
• Does the agency have any printed brochures describing the services it offers and how much they cost? 
• Is the agency an approved Medicare provider?
• Is the agency currently licensed to practice (if required in the state where you live)? 
• Does a national accrediting body certify the quality of care?  
• Does the agency offer seniors a “Patients’ Bill of Rights” that describes the rights and responsibilities of both the agency and the senior being cared for? 
• Is there a care plan in place that outline the patient’s course of treatment, describing the specific tasks to be performed by each caregiver? 
• How closely do supervisors oversee care to ensure quality? 
• Will agency caregivers keep family members informed about the kind of care their loved one is getting?
• Are agency staff members available around the clock, seven days a week, if necessary? 
• Does the agency have a nursing supervisor available to provide on-call assistance 24 hours a day? 
• How does the agency ensure patient confidentiality? 
• How are agency caregivers hired and trained? 
• What is the procedure for resolving problems when they occur?
• How does the agency handle billing? 
• Is there a sliding fee schedule based on ability to pay, and is financial assistance available to pay for services? 
• Will the agency provide a list of references for its caregivers? 
• Who does the agency call if the home health care worker cannot come when scheduled? 
• What type of employee screening is done? 

Resources and Links – Indiana

CICOA Aging and In-Home Solutions As the Area Agency on Aging serving Central Indiana, CICOA Aging and In Home Solutions connects people seeking help for themselves or a loved one with community resources for older adults, people with disabilities and family caregivers.

Indiana Adult Protective Services The Adult Protective Services (APS) investigates reports and provides intervention and protection to endangered adults who are victims of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) SHIP provides health insurance counseling through a partnership with 81 non-profit organizations most of which are senior centers, Area Agencies on Aging, and hospitals.

Indiana Senior Medicare Patrol Senior Medicare Patrol, or SMP, programs help Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries protect against, detect, prevent, and report health care fraud.

State Long Term Care Ombudsman The Indiana Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates for residents of long-term care facilities, which includes nursing facilities and licensed assisted living facilities. Our primary purpose is to promote and protect the Resident Rights guaranteed to residents under federal and state law.

Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database is a nationwide resource that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.

Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings

Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.

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